News from around the 32 counties of Ireland, Nov 17 2013

What's been in the Irish news, around the country, this week.
Photo by: Google Images

Edwina Guckian’s troupe is one of the selected groups to perform on the must-see annual show, which will air on Friday, November 29.

The group is Lily & Anna Crosby from Annaduff; Roisin and Tara Noone from Carrick-on-Shannon; and, Liam Taylor and Jack Hughes, both from Drumsna.
[Source: Leitrim Observer]
LIMERICK

A courageous Limerick couple, who had seven miscarriages and a baby who died shortly after being born, want to give hope to others after having a beautiful little girl.

After an unimaginable nine years for her parents, Ellianna Hope Marie Thompson will be 18-months-old this week. Ellianna means “God has answered me.”

Proud mother and father, Noreen and Ger, who live in Murroe, have told their story to help those who have had miscarriages.
[Source: Limerick Leader]

LONGFORD

Irish music legend Shane McGowan paid a visit to Longford town last Monday.

Having attended a wedding at Lough Rynn Castle, County Leitrim at the weekend, Shane called into the town, visiting Valentine’s Bar.

The Pogues front-man stopped for photos with publican Eddie Valentine, the barmen and local musician Paschal Flaherty.
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

More than 20 years after his death, his work is still amongst the most visited in the world, yet Peter Rice’s connection to Dundalk is far less celebrated.

For those who don’t know, Peter Rice is one of the world’s greatest engineers, behind such iconic buildings as the Sydney Opera House, the Louvre Pyramid and the Pompidou Centre in Paris and Lloyds Bank in London.

He even had a hand in designing Stansted Airport.

Peter hailed from the Castle Road and spent much of his childhood between Gyles Quay and Inniskeen, but the sole recognition of his time in this area is a plaque that was erected at 52 Castle Road saying “Birthplace of Peter Rice, Engineer, 1935-1992.”
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO

A farmer, who spent close to 20 hours pinned to the ground by a tractor wheel, is making a good recovery in Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar. Martin Devaney, from Erritt, Gorthaganny, a few miles from Ballyhaunis, was discovered by a neighbor who became concerned when he heard the noise of a tractor over a sustained period of time and went down the field to check if all was okay.

It is understood that Martin, who is in his late 60s, was on his land around 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, when his hand got stuck under the tractor wheel as it rolled back. He was unable to release it as he was face-down at the time. He remained there through the bitter cold night until, fortunately, an alert neighbor found him around 10 a.m. the next morning.
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

Gardaí (police) in Navan are appealing for information in connection with a burglary, which occurred at a house on the Kells Road, Navan, last Thursday, around 12:50 a.m.

The occupants of the house were confronted and threatened by two men, one of whom was carrying a knife. The culprits took three gold rings and a purse before leaving the scene.

The culprits are believed to be aged in their 20s, approximately six-feet-tall and of foreign national origin (possibly Eastern European). They wore black leather jackets.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]
MONAGHAN

A second man is to be prosecuted for the manslaughter of a County Monaghan teenager who was attacked in Omagh last December.

Jason McGovern (19), from Tydavnet, was attacked twice after leaving a nightclub in the Co. Tyrone town on December 31.

He was found dead hours later, on New Year's Day, at a friend's house across the border.
[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

OFFALY

Gardaí (police) at Birr, County Offaly, have arrested a man following the discovery of a cannabis grow-house in Birr on Monday afternoon, November 11.

The 20-year old was detained at a premise on Bridge Street in the town. As part of the planned search, Gardaí discovered 260 cannabis plants with a potential street value of $280,000.

The discovery was made following an intelligence-led operation involving Gardaí from the Birr District, supported by Garda members from District and Regional units.
[Source: Offaly Express]

ROSCOMMON

Plans for an eight-bed palliative care center for Roscommon County Hospital are on track following total funding approval of $19 million by Mayo/Roscommon Hospice for this development and a similar project in Mayo.

On Thursday, November 7, the board of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice ring-fenced $18 million in total funding for two major palliative care developments, including the Roscommon project, which will be developed on the grounds of the county hospital.

“This [$18 million] has been secured to significantly progress both projects and all going well, I understand that the Roscommon Hospice Care project should be ready for planning in just over a year’s time,” Deputy Frank Feighan said last week.
[Source: Roscommon Herald]
SLIGO